Fashion trends can come and go, but self-love is always in fashion. To celebrate identity and creative expression, Lil Nas X has partnered with UGG and the Pacific Pride Foundation for their #UGGPride campaign. It’s a new era in his life, says Lil Nas X, who was pretty busy before Pride – not only did he prepare his next album, and put on a performance on SNL, he was also one of the featured hosts of this year’s Pacific Pride “PROUD Prom”, a virtual event with local and allied LGBTQ + youth from Santa Barbara and coastal communities in California.

The partnership with UGG made sense to him, says the two-time Grammy winner, because he always cared about style. But the rapper says it wasn’t until recently that he fell in love with the art of fashion, and teaming up with UGG was the natural progression of his career and identity. Having previously spoken about the challenges of stepping out into the music industry, even as the landscape for LGBTQ + artists changes, being a pride ambassador with this campaign now feels “pretty awesome,” he says. Rolling stone.

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In addition to the “PROUD Prom” (sponsored by UGG), the company is also launching a limited edition collection of all kinds of footwear and apparel in pride-inspired colors, like the Disco Stripes Slide (see below). For every pair of Disco Stripe slides sold, the brand will donate $ 25 to GLAAD, up to a guaranteed maximum donation of $ 125,000.

Lil Nas X talked to Rolling stone about his new collaboration, tips on ditching perfectionism and how this next single is his most real (while keeping that signature surreal style).

When I think of UGG boots, it gives me a lot of nostalgia for the 2000s. Especially when I think of Paris Hilton, Nicole Richie and the celebrities who wore them back then. When did you fall in love with fashion?
I fell in love with fashion much later in my life. Maybe 2016, 2017-ish? At first I was like, ‘Oh, these are just clothes.’ [But] now I understand all the art behind it. When it comes to UGG boots, I’ve always loved them, even since college. But I couldn’t afford them until I found a job.

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Is that why you wanted to collaborate with UGG for Pride Month?
I wanted to enter this new era of my life, of my career and I said to myself: “it’s perfect.” Like, a perfect collaboration, especially with Pride Month approaching. I have never seen anything like this happen to me, not even a year ago.

Speaking of your career, you recently tweeted about your upcoming music video for “Sun Goes Down” where you said you would go back in time to visit “A Younger Version of Me Struggling Inside , hates himself and doesn’t want to live anymore. ”What advice would you give to those who have trouble expressing themselves creatively?
Put your best foot forward and let the rest fall into place. It’s not so much about focusing on perfection. The idea of ​​perfection is just a facade. I feel like if you’re doing something to the best of your ability, it’s already perfect. If that’s the best you can do, if that’s what you choose to put at 110%, it’s already there. You are already there. It’s not about the idea of ​​perfect where you try to compare yourself to someone else.

You’ve said before that you have doubts about anything you’ve released in your career, but not with that next single, or the album. What do you think has changed for you?
Much my confidence. And learn that lesson about perfection that I just mentioned, about doing my best. That’s really what I tried to do with this album. I feel like I’m finally in the right place where we put the finishing touches. I feel so happy every time I listen to it and I’m like, “Holy shit. Like, I created this. That being said, I know I believe in this, I have confidence in this process. I will give my all to make sure everyone on planet Earth hears this.

You are extremely detailed, not only in your music, but in your attention to the visuals of your clips. How then would you define your visual aesthetic as an artist?
My visual aesthetic is constantly evolving. But a recurring theme in my work would always be surrealism or futurism. I really like to mix reality with imagination – I guess that’s my “thing”. But for [the music video for] “Sun Goes Down,” I kept that kind of feeling to a minimum, because I wanted it to be very real. But you still have me in a meditative state, where I go to this purple world where it’s like my future and my past all existing in one place. I hover over it and go beyond me, and try to raise it.

What do you think the future of fashion and even queer style will look like?
[Laughs] Honestly, I couldn’t answer that. With things as they are, especially with the Internet, everything changes so much and so quickly. Even just in 24 hours online. Things are so unexpected that I don’t even think I can imagine what people will be wearing.

Looking back, is there anyone whose creative legacy inspires you?
There is no one I aspire to be exactly like. But someone whose style I found really awesome – beyond awesome, in fact, whose style was really interesting was Lady Gaga. Everything she did was very camp, and very present, especially at the time.

So, are you doing anything special for Pride in a few weeks?
I think I could stop at a few parades, if they have any. I could visit friends, and maybe some other special things that I can’t talk about yet [laughs].

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